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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Gregor the Overlander - Suzanne Collins

Summary: When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.Summary from barnesandnoble.com, Cover photo from www.suzannecollinsbooks.com

My Review: Join Gregor and his baby sister, Boots, as they slide miles beneath New York City to the underland. Here you will patronize with the light-skinned violet-eyed people of this obscure world. You will ride on enormous cockroaches and fly on top of bats. You may encounter some sinister spiders, who though useful for their spinning of clothing and catchcloths (diapers), have treacherous webs one must be cautious not to become entangled within. Also beware of the six foot rats. With their razor sharp claws and teeth, they are your most dangerous enemy.

Collins vividly paints the world of the underland so the reader is quickly engulfed within this mysterious world. As you travel with Gregor on his quest to find his father you will find yourself laughing out loud one minute and holding your breath the next and then finally gasping in surprise. This author has a knack for ending each chapter with suspense, making the book virtually impossible to put down. As I read this fantasy with my eight-year-old son I delighted in the emotions the tale was able to evoke.

This is fun fantasy perfect for the 8-12 age group. It is sure to leave children with a delight for reading. With a total of five books, this series promises to be every bit as addicting as the Harry Potter novels, only at a more simplistic level. Worth 8 accelerated reader points, this the perfect series to get your young one hooked on reading. My son and I quickly embarked on the next adventure, The Prophecy of Bane, after closing the covers of this one.

1 comment:

I LOVED this book when I first came upon it... possibly because two of my children were the same ages and genders as Gregor and Boots... and my son loved it too (he's 15 now and still says it's a good book.. he finished out the series)